TRENTON, N.J. - The Real Estate Commission in the New Jersey
Department of Banking and Insurance is investigating claims that an agent stole
money from charities set up for victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks.

"We know about it and have opened a case and are proceeding
with an investigation,'' said Dawn Rafferty, Executive Director of the Real
Estate Commission. "We can not comment further because of our active investigation
and the investigation by law enforcement agencies.''

Recently published reports indicate that Evelyn Wellens, 42,
a real estate agent from Edgewater Park, was arrested and charged with stealing
from September 11th-related agencies.

Conviction of the theft charges could affect Wellens' license
status, said Rafferty, who explained that convictions of certain crimes are
grounds to strip agents of their licenses.

According to the published reports, the alleged scheme also
involved Wellens' boyfriend, Matthew Weissman, who also was arrested.

Wellens allegedly applied for emergency funds, claiming that
she had lost her job in Weissman's lower Manhattan law office near the World
Trade Center, and was being evicted from her home, according to the Associated
Press.

Weissman allegedly gave Wellens a fake job-verification letter
and a false eviction notice, according to the reports.

"If these despicable allegations are proven true, we do not want this person
to have a license that allows her to go into other people's homes,'' said Rafferty.

The department is not releasing the name of the real estate
broker as the agency was not involved in the alleged crimes, according to Rafferty.

The department's investigation is part of its overall commitment
to protect the consumers and residents of New Jersey, Commissioner Holly Bakke
said.